Building Department

The goal of the Building Department is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public through the interpretation and enforcement of the Garfield Heights building codes, zoning codes, and other applicable regulations governing construction and land uses.

The Building Department provides supervision of construction activities, issuance of all building/mechanical/electrical/plumbing permits, registration of contractors, plan verification for compliance with the Ohio Building Code, NEC, Residential Code of Ohio for 1, 2, and 3 Family Dwellings, and the Garfield Heights Planning/Zoning Codes.

The Building Department also inspects properties, which in turn helps to maintain property values, through the enforcement of the Garfield Heights Exterior Maintenance Code, Point-of-Sale Inspection Procedure, and Rental Property Registrations/Inspections.

Point-of-Sale inspections are required for all structures being sold, transferred, or otherwise conveyed. The exteriors/interiors of the properties are inspected; a Compliance Certificate is required for transfer of title.

Effective through November 5, 2012, buyers will not be required to put repair funds into an escrow account for violations cited during the point of sale inspection. The affidavit and Acknowledgement forms must still be signed prior to transfer and repairs still must be made by the deadline (90 days from date of transfer).

Rental of single or multi-family homes require owners to register the property, identify the occupants and schedule inspections of each unit. The fee is $100 for the first unit and $25 for each additional unit.

City of Garfield Heights requires notification of a foreclosure filing within ten days of that filing with the relevant court.
Please use the following form, and return with check payable to City of Garfield Heights. See Codified Section 1314.